The Langtang Valley Trek offers an unforgettable journey into the heart of Nepal’s rugged beauty, where towering peaks meet lush valleys, and traditional Sherpa villages greet you along the way. Often dubbed “The Valley of Glaciers,” this trek offers a blend of remote mountain landscapes, rich cultural heritage, and a sense of serenity far from the busier trails of the Himalayas. As you make your way through dense forests and alpine meadows, the towering Langtang Lirung (7,227m) looms in the distance, guiding you deeper into this stunning region.
One of the standout highlights of the trek is the ascent to Tserko Ri (5,000m), a breathtaking viewpoint that rewards trekkers with panoramic views of snow-capped peaks, including Langtang Lirung and the surrounding Himalayas. The hike to Tserko Ri is challenging but immensely satisfying, offering a moment of quiet reflection as you take in the vastness of the mountain ranges below. Whether you’re a seasoned trekker or an adventurer looking to experience the Himalayas, the Langtang Valley and Tserko Ri deliver a truly unique and awe-inspiring experience.
The moment I arrived in Syabrubesi, the starting point of the Langtang Valley Trek, excitement buzzed through me like electricity. Surrounded by towering mountains and the rhythmic hum of local life, I could feel the adventure ahead unfolding. The trail ahead was unknown, but the promise of scenic beauty, cultural encounters, and the challenge of the high-altitude trek made my heart race. Little did I know, Day 1 would already test my resilience, set the tone for the days to come, and remind me that the real journey is as much about self-discovery as it is about the destination.
Day 1: The Adventure Begins – Kathmandu to Syabrubesi
Our Langtang trek kicked off at 5:40 AM, catching a bus from Kathmandu bound for Syabrubesi, the gateway to the mountains. The journey was long but scenic, with winding roads that offered glimpses of terraced fields and rushing rivers. By 12:55 PM, we arrived at Syabrubesi, eager to start the trek. After a quick stop at a local store for essentials like water and some direction-checking from friendly locals, we set off at 1:15 PM. The initial stretch led us past the ongoing construction of the Langtang Khola Hydro Project (20 MW), a reminder of the region’s development. Crossing our first suspension bridge, we began our hike along the riverbank, a stunning mix of jungle trails and mountain views. By 2:38 PM, we reached Dhomen, and after a brief uphill walk, we arrived in Pairo at 3:00 PM, ready for the next leg of our adventure.
Struggles and Surprises on the Trail
The trail took us deeper into the forest, leading us to Bamboo at 4:00 PM. We gathered with friends, shared some chocolate and dried fruits, and prepared for the final push toward Lama Hotel. Unfortunately, Bamboo was fully booked, and the offer of camping wasn’t ideal, so we decided to push on. By 4:45 PM, we started walking toward Rimche, but my legs began to protest, sending cramps as a warning. The fading daylight added another challenge as we hiked
uphill in the dark, relying on headlamps and phone flashlights. After an hour of night hiking, we finally reached Rimche at 7:00 PM. But to our dismay, the reservation we made at Lama Hotel was no longer valid. The hotel had given away our room, so we called it a day and stayed at Rimche instead. A hot wash, a hearty dinner of dal, rice, and vegetable curry, and a good night’s rest made up for the unexpected turn in plans.
Day 2 – October 27: Rimche to Kenjin Gompa (2450m to 3870m)
Our second day on the trek started early at 5:00 AM. After a quick 
freshen-up, we had breakfast at Ganesh View Lodge in Rimche (2450m)—tea, bread, and curry. After settling the bill of Rs. 1400 per person for the lodge package (dinner, accommodation, and breakfast), we began our hike at 6:50 AM, heading toward Lama Hotel.After a 25-minute walk, we arrived at Lama Hotel at 7:15 AM. From there, we ventured deeper into the forest, crossing wooden bridges and catching glimpses of snow-capped mountains. The trail was beautiful, and we were having a great time as we passed both local and international trekkers. By 9:00 AM, we reached a riverside hotel and lodge where we rested and enjoyed some apples.At 9:40 AM, we resumed our journey, but the uphill climb from the river proved more challenging for one of our friends.
We slowed down to encourage him, and along the way, we passed mules carrying supplies. After a regrouping stop, we realized we were behind schedule and needed to speed up. A call to our friend ahead revealed that he was already two hours ahead at Ghodatabala (2900m), so we decided to change plans and have lunch there instead of Thangshap.
I pushed ahead to catch up and reached Ghodatabala at 10:50 AM. By 11:20 AM, everyone had arrived, and we enjoyed a hearty lunch of dal, rice, curry, achar, and papad for Rs. 500 per person.
Refreshed, we set off again at 12:15 PM. From here, our pace quickened as one friend took the heavier pack to help another, and the three of us pressed on. After a 45-minute walk, we reached Thangshap (3240m) at 1:05 PM, took a brief rest, and continued toward Chamki. We passed beautiful waterfalls along the way and reached Hotel Panorama for a snack of biscuits and chocolate.
As we passed more lodges, we encountered an area that seemed to have been devastated by a landslide. We stopped to take a few pictures of the site, wondering if it was the old Langtang Valley, destroyed in the 2015 earthquake. When we asked a local, he told us that the old Langtang Valley was much farther from here. Continuing on, we soon passed a memorial for those who lost their lives in the earthquake, including the army battalion stationed in Langtang Valley at the time.
By 2:24 PM, we reached Langtang Valley (3455m). There was some confusion about whether this was the same valley destroyed in the earthquake, but we made a brief stop at the cell tower to call home. Our friends behind us were at the bakery after passing Chimki, so we decided not to wait and pushed on toward Kenjin Gompa.
After passing the army camp at the top of Langtang Valley, 
we reached Mundu at 3:30 PM, where we learned that the area where we had taken photos earlier was indeed the old Langtang Valley, and the memorial we saw honored the soldiers lost during the 2015 earthquake.
We pressed on, reaching a tea
house where we spoke to locals and learned that KenjinGompa(3870m) was about 1 hour away. After a short rest at a suspension bridge, we received a call from the hotel owner, who was waiting for us at the entrance of Kenjin Gompa. We arrived at the hotel at 5:30 PM, tired but relieved to reach our destination for the day.
After checking in at Kenjin Gompa, we spent some time warming up in the dining room and sharing stories with other trekkers. We learned that some were from Kathmandu and even knew people from my hometown. Before dinner, one of our friends went back from Kenjin Gompa to the tea house to help a friend who was feeling uneasy and couldn’t continue. Meanwhile, another friend stayed behind at Langtang Valley since he wasn’t able to walk any further. By 8:00 PM, we had all gathered for dinner and reflected on the day’s journey. For some of us, it had been a 10-hour hike, while for others, a 13-hour trek. With the group finally reunited, we knew Day 3 would bring even more challenges, so by 10:00 PM, we were all in bed, lights off, ready for the next adventure
Budget breakdown of day-2
| Item | Cost (per person) | Reason for Expenditure |
| Accommodation (Ganesh View Lodge) | Rs. 1400 | Includes dinner, accommodation, and breakfast at Rimche (2450m) |
| Lunch (Ghodatabala) | Rs. 500 | Hearty lunch of dal, rice, curry, achar, and papad |
Total Cost per Person: Rs. 1900
Day 3: Tserko Ri Trek and Return to Langtang Valley
Our third day began early at 5:00 AM. After a quick freshen-up, we enjoyed a simple breakfast of roti and tarkari at 5:30 AM. With Tserko Ri (5000m) as our goal, we were mentally prepared for a tough, long day of trekking. We had decided to take only 3 bags, loaded with food and water, to keep things manageable for the challenging day ahead. At 6:20 AM, we set off, joined by a solo traveler from Israel.
The first stretch was a steep climb, and by 7:30 AM, we reached Kyanjin Viewpoint (4300m). The group split up, with one friend already ahead and three others still catching up. We decided to wait at the viewpoint, holding onto all the bags and water. Once everyone regrouped, we made the decision to give the others one of the bags, loaded with water and food supplies, and continued ahead with the three of us.
As we climbed higher, the fatigue from the past two days set in, and the hike became increasingly difficult. At 9:00 AM, we reached Lower Viewpoint (4600m), where we took a short rest, enjoying snacks like biscuits and energy bars. After recharging, I carried the bags and continued the hike toward Sedlo, the final stop before the summit. By 10:30 AM, we reached Sedlo (4850m) and took another break, eating instant noodles.
The final ascent to Tserko Ri was challenging, with the trail covered in snow. 
My excitement turned to caution as the snow made the path slippery. I was the first to reach the summit at 11:25 AM, where our new Israeli friend was already enjoying the view. The Langtang mountain range was stunning—snow-capped peaks in every direction. At the summit, I met a guide with a Japanese girl who was also at the top. I asked the guide about a safer route down, and he showed me an alternative path that avoided the snow-covered trail. I also had a brief chat with the Japanese girl. We spoke in English, and during our conversation, I learned that she was from Okayama Japan. Since I have a friend in Japan, it was fun to exchange a few words with her about the country. It was a pleasant chat before I headed back down to check on my friends.
As I soaked in the stunning views, I returned to check on my friends. The one who had been suffering from a headache had experienced altitude sickness and vomited. Thankfully, after some medicine and a brief rest, he felt better and pushed on to the summit. When he finally reached the top, we all spent some time enjoying the view.
It was then that I noticed the guide and his companion, the Japanese girl, were getting ready to leave. I took a moment to say “Sayonara” to the girl, which caught her off guard, but she smiled and returned the farewell before they started their descent. It was a small moment of connection before they headed down.
After some more time at the viewpoint, we decided it was best for my sick friend to descend to avoid any further complications. Our new friend from Israel and the sick friend took the alternate route down, while the remaining two of us stayed a bit longer to capture photos and enjoy the breathtaking beauty.
We began our descent at 12:35 PM, and although downhill was easier, the strong wind and steep terrain still made it challenging. We passed several yaks grazing along the way and reached Kyanjin Gompa by 3:20 PM.
At the hotel, we had lunch—a hearty bowl of thukpa (Rs. 400 per person)—before preparing to leave for Langtang Valley. Our friends, who had descended earlier, were already on their way there. Meanwhile, the friend we had left at Langtang had also made his way up to Kyanjin Gompa and rejoined. While the three of us were still on the return route from Tserko Ri, they had already settled the bills for the hotel package (dinner, accommodation, and breakfast), which was Rs. 1000 per person. After packing up, we hit the trail by 5:25 PM toward Langtang Valley.
By 7:00 PM, we arrived at Hotel Marigold in Langtang Valley. Dinner consisted of dal, rice, tarkari, and achar, and we spent some time talking with a 63-year-old tourist guide. He shared his wisdom on traveling, emphasizing that true travel isn’t just about reaching a destination, but about connecting with the people and culture along the way. “Traveling can educate people more than any book,” he said, a sentiment that resonated with us as we realized we hadn’t truly immersed ourselves in the local experience.
We decided to call it a night, knowing Day 4 would be another long day as we needed to rush back to Syabrubesi for the Tihar festival preparations. Goodnight.
Day 3 Budget Breakdown:
| Expense | Cost (Rs.) | Details |
| Thukpa Lunch at Kyanjin Gompa | 400 | Filling meal after returning from the hike. |
| Lodge Accommodation (Hotel Marigold) | 1000 | Dinner, accommodation, and breakfast package. |
Total: Rs. 1400 per person.
Day 4: Trek Back to Syapru Besi
The day began at 7 AM, and after a quick freshen-up, we were ready to start the journey back. We had a filling breakfast of thukpa, a comforting noodle soup, which gave us the energy needed for the trek ahead. Once we finished our meal, we packed up our bags and prepared for the return trip to Syapru Besi, our goal for the day.
At 8 AM, we settled the bills at the hotel (1100 NPR per person, covering dinner, accommodation, and breakfast) and set off on the trail. As we walked, we took the time to properly observe the Old Langtang Valley, an area we had missed on our way up. It was interesting to see the valley from this new perspective.
We soon arrived at Hotel Panorama, where four of our friends were already ahead of us. The remaining three of us, who were walking together, decided to try something special: Sea Buckthorn Juice — a local specialty of the Langtang trek. We ordered two cups for 200 NPR each, and it was delicious! The juice had a tangy, refreshing taste, and it was a great way to rehydrate after the climb.
After enjoying the juice, we continued walking, and by 11:50 AM, we reached Riverside Lodge for lunch. The four of us went for a simple yet satisfying meal of dal, rice, tarkari (vegetable curry), papad, and achar. The other three in our group opted for mixed fried rice (which included eggs, cheese, and fried vegetables). We rested for a short while before settling our bills — 500 NPR for the regular meal, and 550 NPR for the mixed fried rice.
At 1:30 PM, we reached Lama Hotel. From there, it took me about 20 minutes to walk to Rimche, but the rest of the group gathered and left after about 30 minutes. By the time we reached Rimche, it was around 2:00 PM.
We reached Bamboo around 3:30 PM, but decided not to stop and push forward. I was ahead of the group by a bit, with one friend slightly ahead and two more behind me. I could see them for a while, but eventually, they disappeared from sight. I had given my phone to the friend who was last in the group, so I ended up walking alone. I continued walking alone for a while until I reached Pahiro, where I saw the friend who had been ahead of me.
However, he didn’t wait for me, so I kept walking at my own pace. The downhill terrain was tough on my feet, and the friction between my shoes and my left foot caused a small wound on my little toe. My knee also started hurting, so I decided to slow down. Eventually, I reached the top of Domen, where I saw my friend near the bridge below. I called out to him to wait, but he just glanced at me and continued walking. So, once again, I found myself walking alone.
As I continued on, I met two guys who asked where I had started my hike. I told them from Langtang, and they shared that this was their fourth time doing the Langtang trek. I was impressed! They were heading to Lama Hotel, and I wished them well before we parted ways.
By the time I reached Domen, it was starting to get dark. I was now on the main road and hoping for a ride to Syapru Besi. Just as I thought it might be a long walk , a motorbike rider offered me a lift. I asked him how much it would cost, and he quoted 1200 NPR, which seemed a bit too much. After some negotiation, we agreed on 500 NPR for the ride.
On the way down, I caught up with my friend who had been ahead of me, and we both hopped onto the same bike for another 500 NPR. We finally arrived in Syapru Besi at 7:00 PM. The motorbike dropped us off at the bus ticket counter, where I paid the driver 1000 NPR.
Once we were at the counter, we booked 7 bus tickets for the next morning’s trip back to Kathmandu, which cost 980 NPR per person. After booking the tickets, we set off to find a place to stay for the night. We checked out a few different lodges before finally securing a room at Hotel Red Panda.
The hotel owner led us to our room, which was clean and comfortable. After washing up and getting settled, we made a quick phone call to our friends who were still on their way. They told us they were coming by tractor (which cost Rs. 500 per person) and would be a bit delayed. I reassured them that we had already booked the room and bus tickets for tomorrow. They appreciated the update and said they’d be there soon.
Afterward, my friend and I decided to have a cup of milk tea, accompanied by chocolate buns. We relaxed and watched a group of children playing football outside. We were tempted to join in, but our legs were sore after the intense trek of the past few days.
Soon enough, our friends arrived, and they were pleased with the rooms we had chosen. After getting freshened up and resting for a bit, we had dinner — another serving of dal, rice, curry, achar, papad, and some chicken curry.
We lingered at the dinner table, chatting about the day’s events, and eventually headed to bed around 10:00 PM. The lights went off, marking the end of Day 4
“I appreciate you spending a few moments with me today. Until next time!”
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Love your story and appreciate you providing the details like prices and all